Gardening in March: Essential Tasks to Prepare for Spring
March signals the start of spring, bringing longer days, rising temperatures, and new plant growth. It’s the perfect time to get your garden ready for a productive and beautiful growing season.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔️ What to plant in March (flowers, vegetables, and fruit)
✔️ Key pruning and soil preparation tips
✔️ How to protect plants from late frosts
✔️ Essential greenhouse and indoor seed-starting jobs
Let’s get your garden off to a strong start this March! 🌱🌸
What to Plant in March
March is a key planting month as the soil begins to warm up. Here’s what you can start growing:
Flowers to Plant in March
🌷 Tulips & Daffodils – Finish planting for spring color.
🌼 Pansies & Violas – Hardy flowers that brighten up garden beds.
🌿 Lavender & Perennials – Low-maintenance plants that attract pollinators.
Vegetables to Plant in March
🥕 Carrots & Parsnips – Direct sow in well-drained soil.
🥔 Potatoes – Plant early varieties for summer harvesting.
🧅 Onions & Shallots – Start in March for larger bulbs.
🥬 Lettuce & Spinach – Fast-growing, great for fresh salads.
Tip: Use cloches or fleece covers to protect seedlings from unexpected frosts.
Pruning & Cutting Back in March
March is the time to prune and shape plants before their main growing season.
✔️ Roses – Prune hybrid tea & floribunda roses for stronger blooms.
✔️ Fruit Trees (Apple, Pear, Plum) – Remove dead branches to improve air circulation.
✔️ Climbing Plants (Clematis, Wisteria, Honeysuckle) – Cut back tangled or overgrown stems.
Tip: Always use sharp, clean pruning shears to prevent plant damage and disease.
Preparing Your Soil for Planting
March is the best time to refresh your soil for healthier plants.
✔️ Turn over soil to aerate and remove weeds.
✔️ Add compost or manure to improve nutrients.
✔️ Mulch around trees & shrubs to retain moisture.
✔️ Test soil pH and adjust if necessary.
Tip: Adding bone meal or fish blood fertilizer helps plants establish strong roots.
Weeding & Pest Control
Weeds and pests start waking up in March, so take action early!
✔️ Hand-pull weeds before they spread.
✔️ Apply mulch to suppress weed growth.
✔️ Check plants for slugs, aphids, and caterpillars.
✔️ Encourage natural predators like ladybirds and birds.
Tip: Eggshells, coffee grounds, and copper tape help protect young plants from slugs.
Greenhouse & Indoor Gardening Jobs
March is perfect for starting seeds indoors to get a head start on summer crops.
🌱 Start these seeds indoors:
✔️ Tomatoes
✔️ Peppers
✔️ Cucumbers
✔️ Aubergines
🌿 Sow these herbs:
✔️ Basil
✔️ Parsley
✔️ Coriander
Tip: A heated propagator speeds up germination and improves seedling success.
Protecting Plants from Late Frosts
March can still bring cold nights and unexpected frosts. Keep plants safe with these tips:
✔️ Cover tender plants with fleece or cloches.
✔️ Move potted plants to sheltered areas.
✔️ Water in the morning to prevent freezing overnight.
Tip: Check the weather forecast regularly to prepare for temperature drops.
Lawn Care & General Maintenance
March is a great time to start lawn care and general garden maintenance.
✔️ Mow the lawn on a dry day to keep it neat.
✔️ Rake leaves and debris to improve air circulation.
✔️ Clean and sharpen garden tools for better efficiency.
✔️ Repair fences, trellises, and raised beds after winter damage.
Tip: Apply spring lawn feed to encourage strong, green growth.
FAQs: Gardening in March
Can I plant potatoes in March?
✔️ Yes! Start planting early potato varieties for a June harvest.
What flowers can I plant in March?
✔️ Pansies, daffodils, tulips, and lavender thrive when planted in March.
Should I prune fruit trees in March?
✔️ Yes! Prune apple, pear, and plum trees before new buds appear.
How do I stop weeds from growing in March?
✔️ Apply mulch and pull weeds early before they spread.
Can I start seeds indoors in March?
✔️ Absolutely! Tomatoes, peppers, and herbs do well in heated propagators.
Final Thoughts: Get Your Garden Ready in March
✔️ Plant early flowers & vegetables for a strong start.
✔️ Prune shrubs & fruit trees to encourage growth.
✔️ Feed & mulch beds to improve soil health.
✔️ Protect young plants from late frosts.
✔️ Start summer seeds indoors for an early harvest.
March is the perfect time to prepare your garden for a productive growing season! 🌱🌸
What gardening tasks are you working on this March? Let us know in the comments!
Now you’re ready to tackle gardening in March and get your garden blooming! 🌸🌱 Let me know if you have any questions! 🚀